“The Detroit Lions could fill quarterback room this off-season”

The debate around town should be which direction the Detroit Lions head in securing a backup quarterback to starter Jared Goff.

Do they go with the veteran journeyman Teddy Bridgewater or draft University of Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker?

Why not do both, if possible?

When you look at General Manager Brad Holmes’ history he loves to fill position rooms. He is the ultimate double up man.

Holmes did not settle for edge rusher Aiden Hutchinson in the 2022 draft class. He followed that up by picking Kentucky edge rusher Josh Paschal.

During the 2023 free agency period Holmes did not settle for one defensive back. He brought in Cam Sutton (three years, $33 million) Emmanuel Moseley (one year, $6 million) and C.J. Gardner-Johnson (one year, $8 million).

When Holmes was in St. Louis with the Rams they used first-round picks in consecutive years to pick defensive end Robert Quinn in 2011 and Michael Brockers in 2012. The Rams had one of the best defensive lines with Chris Long, Quinn and Brockers.

Still in 2014 they selected defensive tackle Aaron Donald who won Defensive Rookie of the year and is a three-time Defensive Player of the Year.

Why would Brad Holmes not do the same at QB?

You get the picture. Why would he not do the same at quarterback?

“Just trying to create a beast and just create a position of strength on our football team,” Holmes said. “But I do think that it’s given us flexibility to really go any direction that we want and it’s a good spot to be in.”

The Lions are in win now mode. Bridgewater acts as an insurance policy in case Goff is injured this season. The law of averages say Goff does not play a complete season. Bridgewater can provide minimal drop off.

At some point Goff will be too old or too injured to continue. This is where Hooker comes in. This is a better quarterback to develop than Nate Sudfield.

The Lions have already reached out to Bridgewater and offered him a contract, according to several media outlets. Hooker is schedule to visit the team on Tuesday. It appears as if Holmes is positioning himself to do the Brad double up again.

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For more from the author Terry Foster, check him out on Twitter here: @terryfosterdet

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